Automatic carving-machine.



PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

P. STREIGH. AUTOMATIC GARVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21 1903.

4 SHEETS-$181521 1. I

m A MM n1: NORRI; PETERS co.. WAsHINCTON. n. c.

No 872,857. PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

F. STREICH.

AUTOMATIC GARVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.21,1903.

4SHEETS-SHEET z.

ZZZI ZEJJQS' I ms uonms PETERS;

0., WASHINGTON, B4 c No. 872,857. PATENTEDDEG. s, 1907.

P. STREIGH. AUTOMATIC GARVING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nu: NORRIS PETERS cu., wAsHlNc'roN. n. c.

PAT ENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

F. STREIGH.

. m m km W \m, in mm m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK STREICH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC CARVING MACHINE 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CARVING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3,1907.

Application filed November 21- 1903- Serial No; 182.203.

tool-moving element that is equipped'with an automatic mechanism for retracting the tools, to conform their movements to the configuration or sinuosity of the pattern. In such machines the feed-table has both longitudinal and transverse motions, while the cutting-tools are arranged perpendicularly in relation to the table and are capable of mo I The motion of the tools is governed by the pattern tion toward and from the same.

and a tracer and is brought about by the sinuosities' of the pattern, which effect the operation of the automatic retracting mech- Most of the machines which have been devised or invented heretofore have been equipped with a tracer and tools for movement together, while the pattern as well as the work has been arranged on the feed-table or tables. Such construction compelled the employment of a retracting-mechanism that is influenced by the pressure upon the tracer or the actual movement of the tracer with the pattern, that is, in the same direction, and in every case lost motion is apt to result somewhere between the pattern and the cutting-tools, with more or less serious consequences.

The retracting-mechanisms heretofore employed have been of limited power, and the use of such mechanisms suggested the necessity of a tracing-device that should be movable with the cutting tools and their spin dles.

My conception is that an automatic carvirig machine may be made which will have a retracting-mechanism of great power. This increased power once obtained, it will be possible to arrange the pattern for vertical movement with the tools instead of with the table. Numerous advantages are attainable through such an arrangement of the parts, and the chief object of my invention is to provide an automatic carving machine Wherein the pattern and the tools shall be rigidly connected, to the end that there shall be no lost motion between such parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic carving machine wherein the cutter-spindles shall be arranged within a movable frame and shall be associated with a retracting-mechanism, rendered operative by lateral pattern-pressure thereon.

Still another object of my invention is to dispense with the usual tracer-bar that is movable toward and from the pattern, and to substitute a pattern that shall be movable with the cutting-tools and which shall cooperate with a simple tracing-point placed upon the work-table and movable therewith.

With these ends in view, my invention consists, primarily, in an automatic carving machine comprising a suitable frame, in combination with a reciprocating and transversely movable feed-table arranged in said frame, 'a tracing-point arranged on said table, a vertically movable frame or tool-head, a cutter-spindle or spindles arranged in said head, a pattern carried by said frame and normally resting on said tracing point, and automatic retracting-means arranged in connection with said frame or head and further, my invention consists in a novel retractingmechanism for automatic carving machines,

and also consists in various details of construction and in combinations of arts, all as hereinafter described and particu, arly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily underi stood byreference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which p Figure 1, is an end elevation of an automatic carving machine embodying my in As shown in the drawings, the frame of my machine comprises the side portions, 2, 2, connected by the horizontal parts, 3, and the top beam, 4. 5, represents the bed of the machine. This is movable on the ways, 6, and carries the feed-table, 7.

8 represents the table-reciprocating mech anism for reciprocating the bed, 5, with the table, 7, thereon.

9 represents the mechanism for moving or feeding the table, 7, transversely upon the bed, 5. These parts may be of any suitable construction and arrangement and may occupy various positions within the frame of the machine. By means of the mechanism, 8, the bed is reciprocated regularly, and the same may be given any desired length of stroke, according to the length of the panels to be carved. The mechanism, 9, feeds the table transversely at or near the end of each stroke of the bed. The pieces of work, 10, are secured upon the table, 7, and there is also secured to the table a small tracingpoint, 11, the height of which is determined by the length of the cuttingtools, 12, and the depth to which the latter sink into the work. The tracing-point, 11, has a fixed position on the table, 7, and therefore reciprocates and also moves transversely therewith. The tool-head of the machine comprises a simple frame, 13, having a plurality of bearings, 14, for the cutter-spindles, 15.

Each cutter-spindle has a belt-pulley, 16, between the upper and lower bars of the frame, 13. The cutter-spindles do not reciprocate in their bearings, but do rotate therein, being driven by belts that run over the pulleys, 16. The frame'or head, 13, not only carries the cutting-tools, but also the pattern, 17. This is attached to the frame by some suitable means, but 1 preferably provide the frame with a broad foot, 18, completed as a plate by the wooden extensions, 19, upon the front and back of the frame, 13.

-The pattern is often of irregular outline, and the frame or plate, 19, whether of wood or of iron, is slotted to receive fasteningbolts or clamps, by means of which a pattern may be rigidly secured to the frame or head, 13. The pattern rests upon the tracingpoint, '11, and it is obvious that when the bed, 5, is reciprocated, the tracing-point, 11, will be moved back and forth beneath the pattern, 17, tending to elevate the same when it encounters a prominence thereon. The prominences of the pattern, however, are such that the pattern would not readily mount the moving tracing-point, and it is therefore necessary to provide positive and automatic means for assisting the vertical movement or retraction of the frame, 13, with the pattern and the tools thereon. The frame, 13, is held by two parallel-motion devices. These extend at right angles to one another. The first comprises the toggles,

20, 20, connected by a parallel bar, 21, and

having their upper and lower ends attached respectively to the bar, 4, and the frame, 13. The second parallel-motion devicecomprises the toggles, 22, 22, connected by a horizontal bar, 23. 22, are attached to the lugs, 24, on the pattern-holding plate, 19. The upper ends of the toggles, 22, are attached to shafts,"25, that extend between the upper parts of the sides, 2, of the machine. Because of the employment of these parallel-motion devices, the frame, 13, with the parts attached thereto, is compelled to move vertically, if at all, and is'held against any other movement, save that the frame, 13, is capable of very slight lateral motion. The weight of the frame, 13, and the parts attached thereto is counterbalanced and almost entirely sustained by the springs, 26, 26, arranged at the ends of the frame, 13.

27, 27, represent adjusting-devices whereby the tension of the springs, 26, shall relieve the tracing-point, 11, of most of the weight of the parts above it, while sufficient effective weight is retained in said parts to cause the same to quickly descend after being-raised.

Two retracting mechanisms are preferably employed in connection with the frame or head, 13, though said head may be operated by a single device. The frame, 13, is provided with yokes, 28, at its ends, to engage opposite sides of the retracting-disks. These jaws are preferably separable from the frame. These ends or jaws of the frame, 13, are arranged between the side-pillars, 2 -of the side frames of the machine, but should not engage therewith. The retracting mechanisms are identical, and a description ofone will serve for both. This part of the mechanism is well shown in Figs. 4 and -5 and includes the parts numbered 28 to 41. the power-actuated disk arranged on the short shaft, 30, in the pillars 2. The disk keyed or otherwise secured to said shaft, 30,

The lower ends of the toggles, 22,.

and neither the disk or the shaft'is permitted to move longitudinally. The shafts, 30, of the two retracting-mechanisms are provided with worm-gears, 31, and are driven by the worms, 32, onthe cross-shaft, 33. I prefer that they should be driven in-opposite directions, but they can be rotated in the same direction. Between the sides of the yoke, 28, I arrange the two friction-disks, 34, 34, one on each side of the disk, 29. Said disks are preferably concave and the sides of the disk, 29, are preferably convex, though the meeting surfaces of the disks may be 'flat.

Brass? 36, and each of the disks, 34, is provided with a small spur-gear or pinion, 37 that meshes with its rack, 36. In addition to the pinions, 37, I prefer to provide each disk, 34, with a longitudinal hub, 38. The yoke, 28, is provided with rolling surfaces, 39, upon both sides of the slots therein, whereby the gear-members are relieved from the endwise thrust of the frame, 13.

40, 40 are guides provided on the sides of the jaw or yoke, 28. In each of these guides is a small sliding-block, 41, and these bear against the hubs of the disks, 34, 34. The sides of the yoke or jaw, 28, may bear directly against the disks, 34, but I prefer to reduce the friction between said parts and confine the engagement thereof to the diskhubs and the sliding-blocks, 41. When the yoke is subjected to lateral pressure, one of its blocks, 41, will be forced against its disk, 34, and said disk will be pressed upon the driven disk, 29, which is in continuous rotation. The pressure that is exerted upon the disk, 34, increases the frictional engagement of that disk with the disk, 29, and the latter will therefore tend to rotate the disk, 34, and its pinion, 37. The arrangement is such that the pinion, in rotating, operates through the rack to raise the yoke 28 and therefore the head, 13. When the yoke is relieved from pressure, it is obvious that the disk, 34, will be released from the disk, 29, and the frame, 13, will be permitted to fall, the disk, 34, rotating backwardly at such time. I prefer to make the openings in the hubs of the disks, 34, larger than the shaft, 30, in order that the disks, 34, may automatically clamp upon the rotating disk,"29, when the frame, 13, is subjected to longitudinal pressure.

The upper part of the machine-frame is provided with bearings for the two spindledriving shafts, 44 and 45. One of these is driven by a belt which operates over the pulley, 46, thereon, and the two shafts are connected by the side belt, 47. The wormshaft, 33, is driven from one of the shafts, 44, 45, as by a side belt, 48. I prefer to arrange the spindles in groups of even numbers on opposite sides of the middle of the frame, 13, a

and the spindle-driving belts, 49, are arranged in such a way that the pull of the belts from one of the shafts, 44, 45, is balanced by the pull of the belts from the other shaft.

50, 50 represent belt-tighteners, one of which is provided for each belt, 49. These tighteners are heavy arms that are pivoted on the shafts, 24, and are provided with idle pulleys at their lower ends to run upon the tops of the belts, 49.

Any suitable means (not shown) may be employed for raising the frame, 13, by hand. Such means may be connected with either of the parallel-motion devices.

The operation of my invention is as follows :When the pieces of work, 1 0, have been secured upon the table, 7, and after the pattern, 17, has been attached to the patternplate, 19, the machine is set into motion. Thereafter, the reversing-mechanism, 8, the disks, 29, of the retracting-mechanisms and the spindles in the head, 13, will be driven continuously, and the bed, 5, with the table, 7, will be automatically reciprocated. The tools, 12, sink into the work as far as the tracing-point and the pattern, 17 will permit, and as the tracing-point traverses the under-side of the. pattern, 17, it will tend to raise said pattern and the superimposed parts at moments and for distances which correspond to the sinuosity of the portions of the pattern being traced. When the tracing-point encounters a downward projection or prominence in the pattern, it is evident that pressure of the point, 11, against said prominence will exert lateral pressure upon the frame, 13, considered as a whole. Such pressure will, as explained above, force the sides of the yokes, 28 against the corresponding disks, 34, of the retracting-mechanisms, tending to clamp said disks, 34, upon the continuously rotated disks, 29. Such pressure upon the disks,- 34, will cause the same to rotate with the disks, 29, and as they rotate they will, through the pinions, 37, and the racks, 36, elevate the frame, 13, and thus lift the pattern from the path of the tracing point, 11. In this manner, the movement of the tracing-point is facilitated, and the point is permitted to accurately follow or trace the surface of the pattern. When the frame, 13, is raised, the tools attached thereto will also be lifted and thus the work made to conform to the pattern. Angular pressure between the tracing-point and the pattern, 17, likewise effects the lifting of the frame or head, 13, and it 'is obvious that said head-must, and does, always move parallel with the table, 7, by reason of the. employment of the parallel-motion devices which prevent the tilting of the frame, 13, in any direction. The several tools, therefore, partake of the exact motion of the pattern.

It is obvious that numerous modifications of my invention will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, and I therefore do not confine my invention to the specific constructions herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, I

.claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an automatic carving machine, a reciprocated feed-table for the work, in combination With a tracing-point thereon, a vertically movable tool-head with tools and carrying a pattern, and automatic means for elevating said head, substantially as described.

' said head, cutting-tools carried by said head,

means for driving said tools and an automatic retracting mechanism, substantlally as described.

3. In'an automatic carving machine, a feed-table for the work, in combination with means for actuating said table, a tracingpoint arranged upon said. table, a head arranged ior perpendicular movement with relation to said table, a patterncarried by said head and substantially parallel to said table and normally in contact with said point, cutting-tools carried by said head, and a retracting-mechanism comprising a continuously-driven part for retracting said head when pressed upon, substantially as described.

4. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table, and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tracing-point arranged on said table, a tool-head movable with relation to said table, a pattern carried by said head, tools also carried by said head, means for driving said tools and means for retracting said head, substantially. as described. I

5. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head, a pattern and a tracing-point, arranged on said head and table respectively, and means governed by said point and pattern for retracting said head, substantially as described.

6. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a movable, retractable tool-head provided with tools, a pattern and a tracing-point upon said head and said table respectively, and means governed by the engagement of said pattern and point for retracting said head, substantially as described.

.7. In an automatic carving machine,-a

feed-table and means for actuating the same,

in combination with a tracing-point movable with said table, a pattern held againstmovement with the table but movable toward and from the same, an automatic retractingmechanism for assisting the movement of said pattern, and a plurality of cutting-tools movable toward and from said table and dependent upon said pattern for such movement, substantially as described.

8. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tracing-point movable with said table, a pattern substantially parallel to said table and normally resting 5 upon said point, cutting-tools movable with said pattern and an automatic retractingmechanism rendered functionally operative by the pressure of said point upon said pattern in the direction of the table movement, substantially as described.

9. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head arranged for movement toward and from said table, a tracing-point on said table, a pattern on said head, a plurality of cutting-tools carried by said head, a rotated disk and normally. idle disks engaged with said head and adapted to elevate the same when pressed upon the rotated disk, substantiallv as described.

10. In combination with the table, pat-' tern tracer and tools of an automatic carving machine, a retracting mechanism comprising a rotated disk, normally idle disks connected with the part carrying said tools and engaged with opposed surfaces of the rotated disk and operable therewith when the part which carries the tools is pressed upon, substantially as described. I

11. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head vertically movable above said table, a pattern, a tracer, rotated disks and opposed friction-disks con nected with said head for engagement with the rotated disks, to elevate said head, substantially as described.

12. In an automatic carving machine, av feed-table, in combination with means for actuating the same a tool-head vertically movable above said table, a pattern and a tracer, and retracting-mechanisms arranged at the ends of said head and each comprising a rotated disk and normally idle frlctiondisks geared to said head, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. The table, tool carrying part, a tracer and patterns of anautomatic carving machine, in combination with a rotated disk, opposed normally idle friction disks engaged with the tool carrying part for retracting said part when either of the normally idle disks is rotated by the first-mentioned disk, substantially as described.

14. In an automatic carving machine or the like, a tool-carrying part to be retracted, in combination with a rotated disk, normally idle disks adapted to be pressed against the first-1nentioned disk by the part to be retracted, and the pinions and racks connecting said part and the normally idle disks, substantially as described.

15. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head provided with tools and carrying a pattern, a tracingpoint on said table, parallel-motion devices preventing the tilting of said head and balanced means for driving the tools of said head, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head movable toward and from said table, parallel-motion devices that prevent the tilting of said head, a suitable pattern, mechanisms for automatically retracting said head when the latter is subjected to pattern-tracing pressure, the tool-spindles in said head, the spindle-driving shafts arranged on opposite sides of said head and the spindle-driving belts extending therefrom, substantially as described.

17. In an automatic carving machine, a feed-table and means for actuating the same, in combination with a tool-head arranged transversely above the table, a tracing-point,

on said table, a slotted pattern-plate provided on said head to receive a pattern upon its under side, a plurality of cutter-spindles in said head, means for driving said spindles, and suitable retracting-mechanisms arranged at the ends of said head, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of August, A. D. 1903, in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK STREICH.

Witnesses:

VIOLA WILBUR, DAVID R. DE CAMP. 

